The council has launched two surveys – one aimed at the travelling public, and one aimed at taxi drivers - both drivers who are licensed by Warrington Borough Council, and drivers who are licensed by other local authorities.
The feedback gathered through the surveys will help shape the council's future policy on taxi licensing, taking into account the specific needs of our community.
Warrington Borough Council Chief Executive, Prof Steven Broomhead MBE, said: “We understand the importance of reliable and accessible taxi services for residents and visitors alike.
“We are currently looking at reviewing our taxi policy, which helps to set local standards on provision.
"This survey will provide us with invaluable insights from both taxi drivers and the public, allowing us to develop a comprehensive policy that balances nationally recommended standards with local requirements.
“By taking part in this survey, you have a chance to directly influence the development of Warrington's future taxi policy. Together, we can ensure we continue to provide safe, reliable, and efficient taxi services for everyone.”
What are we looking for?
We want to hear your thoughts on a variety of topics, including:
• Availability of taxis
• Accessibility
• Safety/CCTV
• Applying for a taxi driver’s licence
How can you get involved?
• The survey for the public is available at smartsurvey.co.uk/s/wbctaxigeneralpublic
• The survey for taxi drivers is available at smartsurvey.co.uk/s/wbctaxidriver/
The survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete and is open until Friday 24 May 2024 at 5pm.
More information about taxi licensing is available at warrington.gov.uk/taxi
Source: https://www.warrington.gov.uk/news/have-your-say-taxis
A taxi driver who completed deliveries for the NHS during the height of the Covid pandemic has been jailed for his role in a major heroin and cocaine ring.
LancsLive reports that in court, the family of Kevin Rimmer could be heard gasping "oh my God" as the 57-year-old was jailed.
On the side, he had been acting as a courier for the conspiracy led by two brothers, which involved the trafficking of hundreds of kilograms of class A drugs worth millions of pounds across the country.
Rimmer's trips, supposedly for the NHS, were used as cover for transporting drugs and cash in case he was stopped by the police amid lockdown restrictions.
A court heard the defendant, whose son was a promising Everton Academy footballer, was also responsible for storing heroin and cocaine and "handled large quantities of cash" - up to £100,000 worth - and "was responsible for monitoring stock levels".
The brothers who led the gang, Vincent and Francis Coggins, plotted a ruthless vendetta of violence after a raid on their stash house by rival gangsters saw them lose in the region of £1million of illicit substances.
Francis Coggins remains on the run, while his 58-year-old brother and several other men have been jailed.
Rimmer was also jailed for 16 years after admitting two counts of conspiracy to supply heroin and conspiracy to supply cocaine, as well as possession of heroin in relation to a small quantity of the class A drug which was seized upon his arrest.
The sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, which happened in October 2022, can only now be reported because of a media blackout imposed due to the series of other trials.
Alex Leach KC, prosecuting, said Rimmer, a former postman, was courier for the operation, and regularly stored heroin and cocaine.
However, the court had heard how Rimmer, from Huyton, Merseyside, had acted as carer to his 87-year-old mum at the time.
Andrew Alty, defending, said Rimmer was a dad to four children, including 17-year-old twins, was "somebody who had clearly worked hard throughout his life" and "at all times was acting under the direction of others".
Mr Alty said: "This is going to be a horrendous time for him. His life is effectively over now."
Source: https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/oh-god-family-members-dumbfounded-29156864
A violent drunken teenager viciously attacked a police dog with a shovel before swinging it towards the dog handler's head, causing a nasty cut on his arm.
HullLive reports that the troublemaker Keane Pyzer had earlier refused to pay a taxi driver and he threatened the cabbie with the garden spade before damaging his car.
Pyzer, 18, admitted assaulting the police officer, causing actual bodily harm, and causing unnecessary cruelty to a police dog.
He also admitted threatening the cabbie with an offensive weapon, using threatening words or behaviour, causing criminal damage and making off without paying a taxi fare on April 5.
John Bottomley, prosecuting, said that, just before midnight, Pyzer got into a taxi with a woman. Both of them were carrying opened bottles of alcohol and they were "under the influence".
They arrived in Amberley Close, Hull, the woman got out and Pyzer disappeared into a house and locked the door.
The taxi driver knocked on the door because he had not been paid for the £17.20 fare.
He walked back to his taxi where he found Pyzer in front of him, holding a glass. Pyzer swung it at the taxi driver but the man managed to block it.
The taxi driver overpowered Pyzer, who returned to the house. "He came back out with a garden shovel, which he used to cause damage to the wing mirror," said Mr Bottomley.
Other damage was caused to the taxi.
"The taxi driver remained at the scene and called the police," said Mr Bottomley. Police went to the area and tried to get into the house before calling for back-up.
Armed police arrived and forced entry into the house. A dog handler entered the house with his dog and saw Pyzer at the top of the stairs, shouting and being abusive and still armed with the shovel. "He threatened to kill the police dog, having seen it," said Mr Bottomley.
Pyzer was asked to be compliant and warned about what would happen if he was not. The police dog was sent up the stairs.
Pyzer hit the police dog with the shovel, causing it to be pushed up against a wall. The police officer tried to "take down" Pyzer but the teenager raised the shovel above his head and tried to swing it towards the policeman's head.
The officer managed to put his hands up but he suffered an unpleasant one-inch cut on his arm and he lost consciousness because of the loss of blood.
Pyzer was eventually arrested.
Pyzer had convictions for 14 previous offences, including two of assaulting an emergency worker and others of possessing an offensive weapon, affray and threatening behaviour, all from last year.
He was in breach of a youth rehabilitation order made for offences including affray and possessing cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply.
Judge John Thackray KC told Pyzer that the offences happened shortly after the Youth Court gave him a "golden opportunity" to change his ways.
"You have a dreadful record of previous convictions," said Judge Thackray.
"Courts have given you numerous chances with youth rehabilitation orders and yet you have gone on to commit these serious offences.
"All of your victims were serving the community.
"The taxi driver, who you refused to pay, who you threatened with a garden spade and a glass, was playing a valuable role in our community and, to a degree, was vulnerable.
"The police officer was, again, serving the community. The animal that you struck with a spade was, again, there to protect and serve the public.
"All of your victims deserve and will receive the protection of the courts.
"You began by threatening and attempting to attack the taxi driver and, when he understandably called the police, you then continued with your violence.
"This was a prolonged and violent incident and, no doubt, your victims were significantly affected by your conduct."
Pyzer was sent to a young offenders' institution for a total of two years and 11 months.
The Low Emission Zone has not led to a fall in the number of taxis in Glasgow according to the transport minister.
According to the Glasgow Times, Fiona Hyslop said the fact there are fewer black taxis had more to do with a fall in demand.
The minister was asked by Annie Wells, Glasgow Conservative MSP about a fall in the number of cabs in the city. She said it was down to the LEZ enforcement, putting non-compliant taxis off the road as costs are prohibitive.
Hyslop confirmed the reduction from 1,390 taxis in May last year to 1,347 in January this year.
“However,” she said: “That reduction can be attributed to declining public demand for taxis rather than being a direct result of the low-emission zone, because Glasgow City Council offered its taxi fleet a 12-month exemption, from June 2023 to June 2024, from LEZ penalty charges.”
She added: “Glasgow City Council has announced that it will offer a further extension to the exemption for some taxis beyond June 2024, if taxi operators can demonstrate a commitment to retrofit vehicles or purchase compliant replacement vehicles.”
Wells said hundreds of taxis are still non-compliant and risk going out of business when the exemption ends next month.
She asked: “For the sake of Glasgow’s black taxi drivers, will she back the extension of the exemption for those taxis—not the 76 that are already exempt?”
Hyslop said there is an extension available if owners can provide proof they are making efforts to comply.
She said: “If the member was listening, she would have heard that that is exactly what Glasgow City Council is doing. It is offering a further exemption, should there be a demonstration that retrofitting is planned.”
The minister added the LEZ retrofit fund is open for applications and provides up to £10,000 towards the cost of retrofitting a taxi.
Paul Sweeney, Glasgow Labour MSP said the grant was not enough and asked for it to be reviewed, saying it can cost between £60,000 and £100,000.
Sweeney said: “The £10,000 grant is simply not sufficient, particularly when a lot of the affected taxi drivers are approaching retirement age or are in their 50s and cannot take out that huge amount of finance.”
The minister replied: “On the finances for individuals, I am sure that engagement with Glasgow City Council will help to scope out requirements.”
Meanwhile, Bob Doris, SNP MSP for Maryhill and Springburn asked if the LEZ was having an impact on the quality of air.
Hyslop said: “Because it takes many years for fleets to adapt to LEZ entry standards, the improvement is spread over a long period ahead of LEZ enforcement, rather than happening overnight, when enforcement commences.”
She said there has been improvement in Hope Street with lower nitrogen dioxide readings.
Yob Graeme McLardy jumped on the bonnet of a taxi in scenes akin to a visit to a safari park.
StokeonTrentLive reports that the 42-year-old was high on monkey dust when he climbed on the Toyota Corolla in Hartshill.
North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard that he then deliberately stamped and scratched the car during the terrifying incident.
Now McLardy has been ordered to pay £750 compensation to the cabbie.
Prosecutor Emma Thompson said the incident unfolded in the early hours of April 13. She added: "He stamped on the bonnet causing scratches and marks."
The cabbie told police he came to a stop after he saw the defendant who was shouting something at him. He had never seen McLardy before.
McLardy admitted to officers he was under the influence of monkey dust at the time and was paranoid due to rumours he was a police informant.
McLardy, from Silverdale, pleaded guilty to criminal damage.
The court heard he was made the subject of a community order two days after this incident.
Simon Leech, mitigating, said it was impulsive behaviour 'more usually associated with a visit to Longleat Safari Park'.
Mr Leech said: "He was affected by the consumption of the drug which had been taken. He had earlier in the day gone to hospital because he was exhibiting behaviour which was contrary to his own welfare and interests.
"This incident occurred in the Hartshill area following his discharge from hospital.
"Compensation to the taxi driver is entirely right and proper."
Magistrates ordered McLardy to pay £750 compensation. There was no order for costs or a surcharge.
Source: https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/yob-monkey-dust-like-ape-9272055
Ways of increasing the amount of wheelchair-accessible taxis across the city are set to be explored to make it easier for those who need one to get one.
Cumbrian taxi drivers are fighting back against proposed licensing changes they fear will cripple their livelihoods.
Bolton taxi drivers are urged to sign up for free safeguarding and disability awareness training before the deadline on October 31st, 2024.
A Conwy Council meeting on Monday revealed a critical failing that allowed a taxi driver whose license had been revoked to continue transporting children to school.
Worcester City Council is seeking public opinion on a proposal to make safeguarding training mandatory for taxi and private hire drivers.
A proposal to increase driver, vehicle and private hire operator licences was discussed on Friday 19 July 19 at Sheffield City Council’s waste and street scene committee.
Through this collaboration, FREENOW willl provide additional benefits giving drivers up to 25% off pay-as-you-go rates across the entire bp pulse electric charging network and discounted fuel at all UK bp branded sites.
Wakefield Licensing, working alongside West Yorks Police Roads Policing unit, NPT, Off-Road Bike Team, Police Intercept Team, DVLA & DVSA, held a Partnership Day of Action at Thornes Park.
A pilot emissions reduction grant scheme providing financial support for hackney carriage drivers to upgrade to cleaner EURO 6 and fully battery powered vehicles has been launched.
The ride-hailing giant has submitted an application for an operator licence to Darlington Borough Council, with a decision expected in August.
Darlington could soon see Uber cars on its streets after the ride-hailing giant applied for a licence to operate in the town.
Stratford-upon-Avon District Council has revoked the licences of two taxi drivers following a series of speeding offences.
A Northampton taxi driver has been found guilty of trafficking cocaine between his home city and Milford Haven.
The move comes after concerns were raised by the taxi industry about the rising cost of purchasing new vehicles.
Guide Dogs charity has asked licensing authorities in England for their support in sharing guidance on the law on carrying guide or other assistance dogs with all taxi and private hire operators.
Reading Taxi Association (RTA) chairman Asif Rashid has slammed Reading Borough Council's proposed phase-out of older petrol and diesel cabs by 2028, calling it a financial burden for drivers.
Dorset Council is poised to review taxi fares across the region, excluding Weymouth and Portland which have separate regulations.
A North Belfast man, Ruairi Fintan Muldoon (31), has been sentenced to 12 months in prison with an additional 12 months on supervised release for a botched attempt to rob a taxi driver.
Passengers are been invited to take part in a survey aimed at finding out if the taxi trade in West Suffolk is accessible to all.
A Glasgow man, Darren Gray, 31, launched into a verbal tirade and racially abused a taxi driver on Paisley Road West on August 19th, 2022.